The Grant family (1982) British actors in Phil Redmond's classic, ground-breaking soap, set in a Liverpool suburb. (Photo by Photoshot/Getty Images)
Huty

The screening of the Channel 4 'Mash Up' has started a long countdown to the TV station's 30th anniversary - which falls in November of this year - and true to form, the show demonstrated Channel 4's leanings towards experimental programming.

In 1982, Channel 4's first ever broadcast was a low key affair. Richard Whiteley was introduced to the nation as he hosted the tea-time quiz show Countdown. The words and numbers quiz is still Channel 4's longest-running programme.

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Brookside, or "Brookie", as it became know to soap fans, pulled in audiences of seven million at its peak. The feisty Liverpool-set show, explored alcohol abuse, domestic violence and religious cults, but somehow retained a dry wit. In 1994, the soap broke new ground in mainstream viewing by featuring a lesbian kiss.

Raw and chaotic, music show The Tube became essential TV viewing. Filmed live in Newcastle it unearthed new talent, such as Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Paula Yates and Jools Holland hosted the programme, but Holland later said the show was like "free-fall television". The Tube ran until 1987.

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Breakfast viewing was given the Channel 4 treatment in 1992. Its offering: the Big Breakfast, tried to keep viewers informed and entertained, but some TV critics didn't see the point of a trendy breakfast show that was on at a time when most trendy people were still be in bed. The programme did make stars of Chris Evans and Gaby Roslin, who were assisted by two puppet aliens called Zig and Zag

In 1999, Channel 4 screened The Sopranos, a multi-award-winning US drama that told the tale of a New Jersey mob family trying outwit the FBI, whilst avoiding turf battles with other gangs. The show proved to be a rating success but some TV critics were, at first, unconvinced.

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In screening Big Brother in 2000, Channel 4 proved that it had caught the reality TV bug, which it then passed on to the British public. The show rewarded Channel Four with excellent ratings. It also brought no shortage of controversy. In 2010, fearing the nation had tired of the show, Channel 4 said farewell to Big Brother. After less than a year, the show was resurrected on Channel 5, but viewing figures were modest, at best.